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DTE Energy submitted to Michigan regulators a new plan that would cut its monthly renewable-energy surcharge to its residential ratepayers from $3 to 43 cents. The proposal, if approved, could lead to nearly $90 million in total rate reduction. The declining cost of wind power, along with improved technologies and the wind-energy Production Tax Credit, has allowed DTE to lower its operating costs without sacrificing its ability to meet the standard, said Irene Dimitry, DTE Energy's vice president of marketing and renewables.

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DTE Electric is following Consumers Energy in asking the Michigan Public Service Commission for permission to reduce residential electricity costs by removing a monthly surcharge on renewables. The change would save customers about $15 million per year. The low cost of wind energy has made it possible to comply with the state's renewable portfolio standard of 10% by 2015 without a surcharge, said DTE. The Michigan PSC said the cost of wind energy has declined by 50% since 2008.

Gov. Sam Brownback of Kansas has been promoting his state's wind-energy industry as he faces re-election -- but that's made it harder for him to credibly oppose the regulatory frameworks that bolster renewables.

The Michigan Public Service Commission last week gave Consumers Energy approval to remove its stand-alone renewable energy surcharge of 52 cents from residential ratepayers' bills beginning next month. The move is a portion of the utility's renewable energy plan. "The elimination of the renewable energy surcharge reflects the falling cost of wind-generated energy," said commission Chairman John Quackenbush.

Michigan's DTE Electric is proposing to slash its renewable energy surcharge while Consumers Energy may eliminate its surcharge next year. The utilities cited the wind-energy Production Tax Credit and falling wind power costs for the decline in the surcharge. "The major takeaway is that renewables are getting demonstrably cheaper and costing ratepayers less and less," said Ryan Werder, deputy director of the Michigan League of Conservation Voters.

Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn has signed a pair of bills that establishes a council to study the potential of offshore-wind development on Lake Michigan and permits counties to designate wind-energy districts. The Lake Michigan Offshore Wind Energy Advisory Council will present its findings by June 30.